1-on-1 Comparison

Side-by-Side Comparison

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 (North American version)

SCORE:
84

Highlights

  • 7.2 channels
  • 7.1 channel processing
  • 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
  • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X capable
  • HDR10, Dolby Vision, 4K Upscaling, 4K Passthrough
  • AirPlay, Chromecast
  • Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
  • USB and Phono inputs

Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

Content

Overview

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 was introduced in 2017. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4) video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 84 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

AMPLIFIER
81
VIDEO FEATURES
92
AUDIO FEATURES
86
CONNECTIVITY
84
MULTIZONE
82
MISCELLANEOUS
64
RADIO
92
OVERALL
84

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301.

PROS
  Dolby Atmos
  DTS:X
  DSD via HDMI
  Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
  New HDCP Version
  HDR10
  Dolby Vision
  4K or 8K Video Passthrough
  4K or 8K Signal Upscaling
  Chromecast Built-In
  Ethernet
  Wi-Fi
  Bluetooth
  Many HDMI Inputs
  USB Input
  Many RCA Line Inputs
  Many Optical Inputs
  Composite Video Inputs
  Component Video Inputs
  Zones
  Analog Tuner
  Pandora
  Spotify
  Tidal
CONS
  No Front Wide Channel Support
  No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
  No IMAX Enhanced
  No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
  No eARC
  No HDR10+
  Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
  Few 8K Inputs
  No RCA Pre-Outs

Predecessor

Here we are comparing Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 to its predecessor VSX-90 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-90
Higher DAC Specs 384 kHz/32 Bit vs 192 kHz/24 Bit
Dolby Surround Upmixer vs
DTS:X vs
DTS Neural:X vs
Music Playback via USB MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD vs MP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD vs Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
Reflex Optimizer vs
HDR10 vs
Dolby Vision vs
BT.2020 color space vs
FireConnect vs
FlareConnect vs
Chromecast Built-In vs
More RCA Line Inputs 6 (1 front) vs 3
More Optical Inputs 2 vs 1
More Optical Outputs vs
Front A/V Inputs HDMI, USB, Mini-Jack vs HDMI, USB
+12V Trigger Output 2 (A: 100 mA, B: 25 mA) vs 1 (Main, Zone2, HDZone)
Tidal vs
Deezer vs
Bigger Power Supply 580 W vs 550 W
Longer Warranty 3 Years Parts & Labor vs 2 Years Parts & Labor
Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) 106 dB vs 101 dB
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz vs 2.8 MHz
Wi-Fi Standard IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n vs IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Newer Bluetooth Version 4․1 + LE vs 2․1 + EDR
Wider AM Frequency Range 530 kHz - 1710 kHz vs 530 kHz - 1700 kHz

DOWNGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-90
Front Wide Channel Support vs
Dolby Pro Logic vs PLIIz
DSD to PCM Converter vs
Jitter Reduction vs
Dialog Enhancement vs
Sound Retriever Advanced vs Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC)
Sound Retriever AIR vs
Digital Noise Reduction vs
High-resolution Music Enhancer vs Hi-bit24 Audio Processing
Headphone Surround vs
Virtual Speakers vs (Surround Back/Height/Wide)
Less Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System MCACC vs MCACC Pro
Higher MCACC Memory 1 vs 6
Full Band Phase Control vs
Standing Wave Control vs
X-Curve vs
Distance Adjustment 0.1 feet vs 1/2 Inch
Polarity Check vs
Analog To HDMI Upconversion Component**, Composite vs Component, Composite
Component Video Maximum Resolution 480i/576i vs 1080p (1125p)
Video Parameter Adjustments vs
MHL Input vs 1 Rear (Version 2.0)
DLNA 1.5 vs (DMR)
Less HDMI Outputs 2 (simultaneous) vs 2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)
Less Composite Video Outputs vs 1
Less Zones 2 vs 3
Less Powered Zones 2 vs 2 and HDZone
AVNavigator vs Built-in
Less Presets 40 vs 63

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-90.

Audio Section

7 channel Discrete Direct Energy Amplifier

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 features 7 channel power amplifier with Discrete Direct Energy design. It is rated at 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

    Speaker Configurations

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

    • Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
    • 5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
    • DTS:X Configurations: The speaker configurations for DTS:X are the same as for Dolby Atmos:
    • 5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
    • Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
    • 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
    • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 allows you to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.

    Dolby Atmos

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 supports Dolby Atmos. It is a cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

    • Dolby Surround Upmixer: If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

    DTS:X

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 supports DTS:X. A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

    • DTS Neural:X: DTS Neural:X is an advanced upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

    Sound Processing

    • Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 is done by Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever. Hear the detail, warmth and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3 and WMA files stored on USB, Smartphone and portable media players. By restoring data that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneers Advanced Sound Retriever Technology enhances audio reproduction all the way upto 20 Khz frequencies.

    Room Calibration

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 comes with MCACC room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

    • MCACC: Pioneer’s exclusive Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC) delivers an easy-to-use, automatic sound adjustment system to precision-tune your Pioneer and Pioneer Elite receivers with minimal effort. Every MCACC system comes with a microphone to measure and analyze reverb characteristics. The equalizer optimally adjusts sound parameters to fit the size and shape of your home environment while maintaining the integrity of high-resolution playback without any degradation to the quality of your music.

    Video Section

    HDMI

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 features 7 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs which work parallelly and output the same signal.

    • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4) video signal.
    • 4K Upscaling: Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 can upscale up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4) from HDMI sources.
    • BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35%.
    • HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
    • 3D Ready: Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

    HDR (High Dynamic Range)

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 supports HDR (high dynamic range) video formats such as HDR10 and Dolby Vision. High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

    • HDR10: HDR10 uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors. It is technically limited to a maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness, however common HDR10 contents are mastered with peak brightness from 1,000 to 4,000 nits.
    • Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision is a set of technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories for high dynamic range (HDR) video. It covers content creation, distribution, and playback. Like HDR10+, it includes dynamic metadata that are used to adjust and optimize each frame of the HDR video to the consumer display's capabilities in a way specified by the content creator. Dolby Vision allows for a maximum resolution of 8K up to 12-bit color depth, maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits and a color gamut up to Rec. 2020. It uses Dolby's proprietary dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-10.

    Multi-zone Playback

    Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 2 different rooms.


    Zone 2

    • Powered Zone 2: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 2 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.
    • Audio Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 2 amplifier.

    Inputs and Outputs

    Audio

    • Analog Line Inputs: There are 6 line inputs for analog audio connection.
    • Digital Inputs and Outputs: 1 optical input, 2 optical outputs and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.
    • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

    Video

    • HDMI:
    • Inputs: 7 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (simultaneous)
      8K Inputs: 0
    • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
    • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 0
    • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one. Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 supports up to 480i/576i resolution on Component video connectors.
    • Inputs: 1   Outputs: 0
    Image cannot be found
    Image cannot be found

    Specifications

    Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301.

    BASICS
    BrandPioneer
    SeriesElite
    ModelVSX-LX301
    TypeA/V Receiver
    CountryNorth America
    Release Year2017
    AMPLIFIER
    Channels7.2
    Front Wide Channel Support
    AmplifierDiscrete Direct Energy
    THX™ Certification
    Continuous 6 Ω Rated
    Certified 4 Ω Performance
    Bi-amp Capability
    AUDIO
    Digital Signal Processing (DSP) EngineCirrus Logic (Quad Core) x 1
    DACAKM AK4458
    DAC Specs384 kHz/32 Bit
    Maximum Channel Processing7.1
    Air Studios Monitor Certification
    Dolby Atmos
    Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    Dolby Atmos Music
    Dolby TrueHD
    Dolby Digital Plus
    Dolby Surround Upmixer
    Dolby Pro Logic
    Dolby Digital EX
    Surround EX
    DTS:X
    DTS Neural:X
    DTS Virtual:X
    DTS Neo Neo:6
    DTS-HD Master Audio
    DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
    DTS 96/24
    DTS Express
    DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
    IMAX Enhanced
    Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
    PCM 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
    Music Playback via USBMP3, WMA, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
    High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network 64, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit
    High Resolution Audio Formats via USBApple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD, Dolby TrueHD
    Gapless Playback
    DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
    DSD via USB 2-ch Input
    DSD to PCM Converter
    USB DAC
    Jitter Reduction
    Dialog Enhancement
    Dialog Normalization
    Dialogue Lift
    Sound Retriever Advanced
    Sound Retriever AIR
    Digital Noise Reduction
    Tone Control All Channels
    Compressed Music Enhancer Advanced Sound Retriever
    High-resolution Music Enhancer
    Audyssey Dynamic EQ
    Audyssey Dynamic Volume
    Audyssey LFC
    Audyssey Sub EQ HT
    Audyssey DSX
    Direct Mode
    Pure Direct Mode
    Auto Surround
    Optimum Surround
    Advanced Surround11 + 1
    Wide Surround
    Front Stage Surround Advance
    Headphone Surround
    Virtual Speakers
    Virtual Depth
    Independent Subwoofer Outputs
    CALIBRATION
    Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. MCACC
    Manual MCACC
    MCACC Memory1
    Reflex Optimizer
    Phase Control
    Full Band Phase Control
    Standing Wave Control
    EQ Bands9-Band
    Symmetric EQ
    X-Curve
    Distance Adjustment0.1 feet
    Precision Distance
    Polarity Check
    Auto Subwoofer Crossover
    VIDEO
    Enhanced ARC
    HDCP Version2.2
    HDR10
    HDR10+
    Dynamic HDR
    Dolby Vision
    HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
    BT.2020 color space
    QMS (Quick Media Switching)
    ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
    VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
    QFT (Quick Frame transport)
    3-D Ready
    Video Signal Passthroughup to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
    Video Signal Upscaling up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
    Analog To HDMI Upconversion Component**, Composite
    Component Video Upscaling
    Analog to Analog Video conversion
    Component Video Maximum Resolution480i/576i
    Stream Smoother
    Pure Cinema
    Video Parameter Adjustments
    Super Resolution
    isf Certified Calibration Control
    CONNECTIVITY
    MHL Input
    DLNA 1.5
    FireConnect
    FlareConnect
    Chromecast Built-In
    DTS Play-Fi
    Works with Amazon Alexa
    Works with SONOS
    AirPlay AirPlay
    Apple Product Connection Made for iPhone, iPod and iPad (Airplay only)
    Remote App iControlAV5 (for iOS and Android)
    InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
    Ethernet
    Ethernet Switch
    Wi-Fi
    Bluetooth SBC, AAC
    HDBaseT Compatible
    HDMI Inputs7 (1 front)
    HDMI Outputs2 (simultaneous)
    8K Inputs
    USB Input1 Front
    USB DC Out Port
    RCA Line Input6 (1 front)
    RCA Line Output
    XLR Line Inputs
    Phono Input
    Optical Inputs2
    Optical Outputs
    Coaxial Inputs1
    Composite Video Input2
    Composite Video Output
    S-Video Input
    S-Video Output
    Component Video Input1
    Component Video Output
    PC In
    Multi-Channel Input
    RCA Pre-Outs0.2
    XLR Pre-outs
    Front A/V InputsHDMI, USB, Mini-Jack
    Speaker A/B
    Headphone Out6.3 mm (1/4")
    ZONES
    Zones2
    Powered Zones2
    Zone 2 OutsRCA Pre/Line Out
    RS-232C Interface
    +12V Trigger Output2 (A: 100 mA, B: 25 mA)
    Remote (IR) Input/Output1 / 1
    MISC
    On-Screen DisplayIcon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI)
    GUI Languages7
    AVNavigator
    IP Control for CI
    PreAmp Mode
    Versatile Speaker ConfigurationSurround Back/Front Height/Top/Front Bi-Amp/Zone 2/B Speaker
    FL Dimmer
    Function Rename
    Detachable Power Cord
    adapterport
    RADIO
    Analog Tuner FM/AM
    Presets40
    Digital Radio
    Internet Radio TuneIn
    Pandora
    Spotify
    Tidal
    Deezer
    Napster
    SiriusXM Internet Radio
    CONSTRUCTION
    Front PanelBrushed
    Solid Aluminum Front
    Speaker Terminals9
    Large Speaker Terminals9
    Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
    Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals
    Ceramic Speaker Terminals
    3D Space Frame Construction
    Gold plated RCA terminals
    POWER
    Power SupplyAC 120 V, 60 Hz
    Low Leakage Flux Power Transformer
    Transformer Stabilizer
    Power Consumption580 W
    No Sound Power65 W
    Standby Power0.1 W
    GENERAL
    Auto Power off
    Dimensions (W x H x D)435 mm x 173 mm x 370.5 mm
    17-1/8" x 6-13/16" x 14-9/16"
    Weight10.0 kg (22.0 lbs)
    Warranty3 Years Parts & Labor
    SPECS
    Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2100 W (0.08% THD)
    Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC)170 W (0.9% THD)
    Dynamic Power per Channel (3 Ω, Front)240 W
    Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)210 W
    Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)120 W
    THD0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, half power)
    Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)200 mV/47 kΩ (Unbalanced)
    Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Phono MM)3.5 mV/47 kΩ
    Rated Headphone Jack Output Level and Impedance330 Ω
    Rated Headphone Power Output90 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD)
    Phono Overload70 mV (MM, 1 kHz, 0.5%)
    S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)106 dB
    S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A)80 dB
    DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI2.8 MHz
    DSD Sampling Rates via USB5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
    Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y)
    0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component B/R)
    1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
    Ethernet Standard10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
    Wi-Fi StandardIEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
    Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
    Bluetooth Version4․1 + LE
    Bluetooth Frequency2.4 GHz
    USB TerminalUSB2.0 (Type A) 5 V, 1 A
    Extension Terminal
    FM Frequency87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz
    AM Frequency530 kHz - 1710 kHz

    * - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
    ** - 480i/576i only
    *** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
    **** - 1080p signal is not converted

    Successor

    In 2017 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 was replaced by VSX-LX302. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.


    UPGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-LX302 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301
    Certified 4 Ω Performance vs
    HLG vs
    Analog To HDMI Upconversion Component**, Composite vs Component**, Composite
    DTS Play-Fi vs
    USB Input 2 (1 Front) vs 1 Front

    DOWNGRADES Pioneer Elite VSX-LX302 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301
    DTS Neo vs Neo:6
    Video Signal Upscaling 1080p to 4K vs up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)
    FireConnect vs
    Less RCA Line Inputs 5 (1 front) vs 6 (1 front)
    Lower Rated Headphone Power Output 80 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD) vs 90 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer Elite VSX-LX301 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX302.

    Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

    ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.